Emanuel: I'm Getting Death Threats Over Blagojevich Scandal

[sabra]

Source: ABC News

Obama's Chief of Staff Refuses to Go to Work Because of Media Stakeout


The President-elect's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, said today he won't go to the Chicago Presidential transition offices in order to avoid reporters seeking to ask him whether he had contact with Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich about the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama's election.

Emanuel appeared "beet-red," according to an ABC News cameraman who was invited inside by Emmanuel to use his bathroom this morning.

"I'm getting regular death threats. You've put my home address on national television. I'm pissed at the networks. You've intruded too much, " Emanuel said, according to the cameraman.

Emanuel has refused to comment as to whether he is the un-named Presidential advisor cited in the FBI affidavit filed in the Blagojevich case. "You're wasting your time," Emanuel told a Chicago Sun-Times reporter yesterday. "I'm not going to say a word to you. I'm going to do this with my children. Don't do that. I'm a father. I have two kids. I'm not going to do it."

Asked, "Can't you do both?" Emanuel replied, "I'm not as capable as you. I'm going to be a father. I'm allowed to be a father," and he pushed the reporter's digital recorder away, according to the Sun Times account.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/ConductUnbecoming/story?id=6449745&page=1

[truthisfreedom]

1. I hate reading this stuff.

Makes my stomach hurt.

[MarkInCA]

2. Unfortunately, it will get worse

I am beginning to think that the Obama administration will long be remembered not only for its groundbreaking inclusion, but also the lengths which the media and the right will go to tie scandal to it.

We can thank Bush for 8 years of the best story being scandal.

:mad:

edit: clarified which administration

[marshall]

3. This won't go away until he answers some questions

I think he ought to just bite the bullet, give a press conference and tell what he knows--deny or admit or whatever he needs to do--and then put it behind him.

[MrsBrady]

12. he has answered questions

they just don't like the answers he gave

[closeupready]

4. Doesn't sound like Rahm is going to last,

if he's cracking already.

[LaPera]

6. Fine with me...I despise the conservative corporate DLC boys...all of them!

[Pastiche423]

17. As do I

[bvar22]

31. Add me to this group.

Rahm has long been a behind the scenes DLC Enforcer.
I wouldn't be surprised to find him tied in with Chicago corruption.

[defendandprotect]

38. Me, too --

Rahm is the WRONG direction for change --

[Odin2005]

34. Rahm's a Liberal

http://www.issues2000.org/IL/Rahm_Emanuel.htm



Obama and Hillary are on the same spot on the graph.

[defendandprotect]

39. DLC exists to move Democratic Party to the right --

Rahm is a fanatic and hawk --

[Fumesucker]

43. You're right about Rahm and Hillary, but they're not anywhere near that red spot on your graph. n/t

[Odin2005]

46. So you think the site I posted is LYING about their voting records?

RIIIIGHT... :eyes:

[Fumesucker]

48. Here's a little better chart that shows who stands where..

Note that Ralph Nader and Dennis Kucinich are where the red dot was on you chart, the rest of the candidates not so much.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

47. LOL!

[spiritual_gunfighter]

19. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Rahm's response

if the media is publishing his home address and getting his family involved. I don't blame him in the least.

[Orsino]

21. Other than its being incoherent?

Damn, Rahm. Just say "no comment," and let 'em stew. Or issue a detailed denial. Don't let 'em fluster you.

[CitizenPatriot]

5. I am so furious at the media and the Republicans

I was all for crossing the aisle, even after 8 years of heart-breaking illegal activity by the * administration.

This is what we get?

I'll never forget this. When our country is on her knees, facing financial disaster, brought on by the children of the GOP, we now have to deal with their petty attempts to hang scandal where there is none, all to save their own failed brand?

I can't imagine a more childish response, one so unworthy of being in any office of this land, than I am witnessing right now. I include the auto bail out obstructionism along with this condemnation, because again, the Republicans put their desire to break the Dem party via the unions (money base)-- ahead of jobs for working class people, ahead of the national economy, ahead of a global financial crisis.

I am beyond sickened and enraged. I counter by repeating their doomed and failed polices. It is the only legitimate response to children.

SMALLER GOVERNMENT
NO OVERSIGHT
CROSS THE AISLE

AND OTHER REPUBLICAN LIES, FAILURES AND FELONIES

[Critters2]

30. Blame Blagojevich. He created this mess. Yes, the media and Repukes

will milk it for all it's worth. But they'd have nothing to milk if Blago had played by the rules.

[peacetalksforall]

7. We've had 8 years of the media hiding, covering up for R's. Now, we're going to have

8 years of creating scandals in highly agressive, pushy, arrogant, probably illegal ways.

I despise bought and paid for Republicah media. How many horrible things have happened and occured in the US of A? The loss of a fair media is in the top five from the top five tv networks, the top dozen newspapers, and many magazines.

I feel blood pressure rise when I even think about the networks.

Can I tell you how great it is to be tv free of those networks?. I just wish I could see freespeech and link tv, plus some documentaries on those channels.

[newtothegame]

22. I think they suck on both sides. It's not really a Republican media given how they covered Palin...

what it is is a sensationalizing media that only cares about the INTERESTING stories, not the important ones.

[ContraBass Black]

8. The cameraman was invited in to use a private bathroom?

That was nice of Mr. Emanuel.

[LincolnRepublican]

9. Emanual must come clean. He has a past that is laced with crony capitalism.

This guy had no experience in investment banking but was given a job where he made $16 million in two years after leaving the Clinton administration. His job was to deal with highly regulated (read government involvement) acquisitions. I would like to know the detail of those deals and who he worked with in government to allow them.

[foxfeet]

13. Are you suggesting he did something improper?

If so, what do you think he did?

[Sex Pistol]

45. Is does not matter whether he did anything wrong; it is the perception that will sink him.

Obama needs to cut this guy loose ASAP. Otherwise, he is going to be pulled right into the middle of this mess.

[Hekate]

14. Rumor has it (since you seem to like rumor) that Rahm himself dropped the dime on Blago

If there's an ongoing investigation, Rahm has been told to keep his mouth shut by Fitz.

There. Is that a better scenario for you?

Btw. Welcome to DU. Enjoy your stay.

Hekate

[Spouting Horn]

27. That could be it.

If Blagojevich had of placed a price on considering the person Obama wanted to replace him, then it would have been incumbent upon Obama's team to spill the beans.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

35. What is it with you people?

If a repuke leaves office and gets rich, it is a fine example of the wonders of the American economic system in full fruit. If a dem leaves office or a gubmint job, makes a bundle, it's corruption.

You guys really gotta stop sniffing that gold spray paint. That never turns out well.

[defendandprotect]

41. Sorry, but it's all corruption -- GOP or DEM ...

[defendandprotect]

40. Agree --

[AngryAmish]

10. Way to go, Bush!

[struggle4progress]

11. Repeat after me, Rahm: "I think it would be improper for me to comment on this investigation"

Unless you actually did something corrupt -- in which case it would be best if you simply stepped down immediately -- you should forget explaining anything right now. You have other work to do -- try to do it and don't bother trying to explain. Just say:

"I think it would be improper for me to comment on this investigation"

[nashville_brook]

18. no freakin' doubt! this kind of yap-flappin' would get a first year PR assistant shitcanned pronto.

he should know better. he should have better instincts. he's getting an F on this assignment.

[antimatter98]

15. And they let Rove get off free but chase down Obama staff.

This is what the right wing corporate media have been waiting for, and
its going to be this way for the next four years.

Meanwhile, the BushCo crimminals and the latest looting of the Treasury receives
very little attention. But they stake out Emanuel as if he's a crimminal.

Anyone see what is happening here? Anyone think we don't need media FCC regulation
and a fairness doctrine with teeth?

Are we going to allow this, or just blog about it?

[stubtoe]

24. It'll be just like the Clinton years, all over again.

Trumped-up scandals, red herrings, the whole nine yards. Only difference this time around is that the Republicans as a party have collapsed, and won't be quite so organized in their attempts to prosecute media-created "scandals".

Anyway, that's my hope.

It is supremely frustrating that MSM has failed to pounce upon the real scandals and criminal actions surrounding BushCo in the last 8 years. Especially when we see this predatory anti-Democrat bs start up again.

edit: war on errors

[KamaAina]

16. They put his home address on national television?!

Gee, let me think. What network might have done that? Could it be one with the name of an animal, the female of whom is called a vixen?

[watrwefitinfor]

23. Oh, probably the same network that ran Rove down

at his child's recital, and published his home address, and pushed and pushed until Rove invited him into the bathroom. Don't you remember how all of Bush's staff got this treatment all the time? :sarcasm:

Seriously, can you imagine them DARING to treat anyone in the Bush cabinet or staff this way? or even a Republican senator who was caught-out doing prostitutes in diapers? or even someone caught saying it was legal for our guys to torture?

Why is a Dem fair game? Can no one put a stop to this shit?

Wat

[KamaAina]

25. A repuke senator was caught doing prostitutes in diapers?!

No way! That's too funny! :rofl:

Think of the comedic possibilities inherent in such a (purely hypothetical, of course) event!

[slackmaster]

28. It's in public records under his real name

Anyone with Internet access could look it up in seconds.

[libodem]

20. This infuriates me

I've been listening alternately in my car to books on tape. One is My Life by Bill Clinton and the other is Lying Liars by our guy in Minnesota. One of the striking points in Clinton's book is the threat of personal destruction by a Republican operative even before he makes the decision to run for President. Ah, the days of Newt Gingrich and Kenneth Starr. What a bunch of dirty howling crooks. Those scandals were created and run into the ground until the nation was exhausted. Then Gomer Bush, came in and had free reign to declare illegal wars, torture, rewrite the constitution with the Patriot act, ignore Katrina, let Loud-Mouth Limbaugh run amuck....you know the rest. And now we are hearing the soft-soap about just brushing this under the rug because we don't want to appear 'partisan'. OMG! Look at what is happening already. I hope the FBI and all the Homeland Spooks will actually come over to the Light and not be puppeteers from the Republican National Committee Headquarters. They are scared of Rahm, and they are going after him, to break him down. Stay Strong, Mr. Emanuel. We are out here in cyber-land rooting for our team!

[Baby Snooks]

26. The Clinton touch..

Quite a few wondered why Rahm Immanuel was chosen and the answer was obvious. For whatever reason, Barack Obama agreed to add the Clinton touch. And so once again, we will have an administration that comes into power accompanied by scandal. A Clinton scandal. The centrists as some like to call them. The sleaze that surrounded the Clintons. Camelot was indeed just one brief shining moment.

[TheDoorbellRang]

29. What scandal? There is NOTHING attached to the Obama admin in all this

What is this? The M$M just keeps repeating Obama - scandal -Obama - scandal ad nauseam and that makes it his? Come on!

The only reason they're hounding Rahm is because they suspect HE WAS THE WHISTLEBLOWER on Blago.

[struggle4progress]

37. "They're not willing to give me anything but their appreciation" is scandalous? Why?

[Odin2005]

32. Let me guessm the Chicago Machine is threatening Rahm for his tipping the cops off to Blago's...

Senate seat shenanigans? It would be nice if Obama and Rahm use this to crush the Chicago Machine one and for all.

[girl gone mad]

33. He can always resign.

If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen, Rahm.

[brianna69]

36. Sources: Emanuel not target of Illinois probe

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gOkBnooW9IxEXUFyd5JqdP1-VIJgD951DQ900


Rahm has done nothing wrong. I think he was a great pick for chief of staff.

[defendandprotect]

42. Meanwhile ---

Meanwhile, late today a spokesperson for Emanuel confirmed in an email that an Associated Press story saying that he is not a target of the investigation is "accurate." Questions remain, however, over his contacts with Blagojevich and his staff, and Emanuel has still not said whether or not he's been contacted by the FBI for questioning.

and ...

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald says there is "nothing in the complaint" that implicates President-elect Obama but the affidavit suggests someone from the Obama camp was in touch with Blagojevich or his aides, if only to tell the Governor that Obama would not offer anything but "appreciation" in exchange for the Senate appointment.

The president-elect said Thursday he would gather and make public a list of any aides or advisers who talked with Blagojevich on his behalf. Emanuel has not yet resigned his seat in Congress, the seat previously held by Blagojevich.

Looks to me like Fitzpatrick has been doing some dirty work for GOP and agenda is much

wider than Governor -- tho I wish Rahm would be exiting from Obama WH ...

[depakid]

44. Drama queen

Note to Rahm:

Time to bow out- you were a poor choice for the country in the first place.

Now the right thing- remove yourself from the equation before you do even more damage to the incoming administration- before you've even started.